Causes and Treatment Methods for Medial Knee Pain

Common causes of medial knee pain:

1. Meniscus injury: The meniscus is a cartilage pad located between the femur and tibia, serving as a cushion. Injury to the meniscus can result from twisting injuries during sports or degenerative wear in the elderly, causing medial knee pain.

2. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury: This strong ligament connects the femur and tibia and is responsible for stabilizing the knee joint. Overstretching or tearing can lead to pain.

3. Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Also known as abnormal contact between the patella (kneecap) and the femur, commonly caused by poor patellar tracking or muscular imbalance, which may also present as medial knee pain.

4. Osteoarthritis: Cartilage wear can lead to osteoarthritis, particularly common in weight-bearing joints such as the knee, causing pain and stiffness.

5. Synovitis: Inflammation of the synovial membrane of the knee joint, possibly caused by overuse, infection, or autoimmune diseases, resulting in pain and swelling.

Treatment options:

1. Rest: For mild pain, appropriate rest is recommended to avoid overuse of the knee joint and reduce pressure on the painful area.

2. Cold and heat application: During the initial phase of pain, cold compresses can help reduce inflammation and pain. If the pain has persisted for some time without obvious signs of inflammation, heat compresses may be used to improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension and stiffness.

3. Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as loxoprofen sodium or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, may be used under medical supervision to reduce pain and inflammation. For degenerative joint disease, medications such as glucosamine sulfate capsules may be used to slow cartilage degeneration.